How much do private coaches help the student?

EmmyBet
Sat, 26 Jan 2013 09:54:44 +0000

My opinion is that most kids need help preparing for the auditions, and solid one-on-one help is extremely effective (as if they had music lessons). Some kids have great mentors and don’t need an official “coach.” I think it’s worth looking into, and knowing whom you’d go to if you’re realizing the preparation isn’t going the way you’d like it to.

Also to follow what Gwen said, it’s again a question of knowing your own kid. My D had some people to work with, people she trusted. Was it enough actual coaching? In an absolute sense, no - she could have been better prepared, could have had some more help dealing with nerves, etc., could (always) have had better monologues. But 1) we could not find someone else that worked for us - would have had to be online or a very long drive; and 2) she ultimately decided she didn’t want to add that kind of expense and complication to this process.

Considering how much my D has learned in her college program - and she says what she understood and could do after even one semester was light years beyond where she was at during application time - having a super private coach could have been great, and might have changed her admissions results. But time and place are also factors - she had to be who she was, had to work within the maturity level, emotional level, personal level that she was at as a HS senior. She worked very hard. And she got into a program that is wonderful for her. If she hadn’t gotten into any auditioned programs, she would have gone to a BA and also learned and grown a lot.

How much intensity and pressure is right for an individual student is a very personal decision. In this field - at least still, for now - it is not standard for all auditioned programs to expect years of coaching or private lessons, or experience much beyond what a basic HS can offer. There is a place for anyone with passion and dedication to learning to have a great training experience, and you do not have to get into the tippy-top programs to have any chance at getting a job. There also is no hurry - you are not washed up if you don’t move right from HS into a certain college program.

Coaching is good for two things: 1) helping nail down the truly necessary things you need to bring to an audition; and 2) giving you more confidence and understanding of the process. If you have these things or can get them without intensive coaching, don’t be concerned. If you can get some more with coaching and feel positive about the experience, that is great.